🎄 CHRISTMAS TRADITIONS
This tradition marks the official beginning of the Christmas season for many families.
What is putting up the Christmas tree?
Fun Fact: Many families once waited until Christmas Eve to decorate the tree.
In the United States, Santa is said to live here
Answer: What is the North Pole?
Fun Fact: Alaska has a town called North Pole that receives thousands of Santa letters yearly.
This song begins, “I’m dreaming of a ____ ______.”
What is “White Christmas”?
Fun Fact: It is the best-selling song of all time.
This soft toy named after President Theodore Roosevelt.
Teddy Bear
This spicy cookie is often shaped like a little person at Christmas.
Answer: What is gingerbread?
Fun Fact: Gingerbread was once believed to help digestion after heavy holiday meals.
This tradition involves attending a religious service on Christmas Eve.
What is Midnight Mass?
Fun Fact: Midnight Mass dates back to at least the 4th century.
In the Netherlands, children leave this article of clothing out for this Santa
What are shoes?
Fun Fact: He arrives by boat, not sleigh.
This carol tells the story of bells ringing throughout town, inspired by street-corner Salvation Army bell ringers.
What is “Silver Bells”?
This board game about buying and selling property became a holiday favorite during the Great Depression.
Answer: What is Monopoly?
Fun Fact: It was often sold hand-made before becoming mass-produced.
Clue: These small round candies are traditionally hung on Christmas trees.
Answer: What are candy canes?
Fun Fact: Early candy canes were plain white and not peppermint-flavored.
This tradition includes mailing or delivering these
Answer: What is sending Christmas cards?
Fun Fact: The first commercial Christmas card was sold in 1843.
In Germany, this figure brings gifts on December 6th.
Who is St. Nicholas?
Fun Fact: Children leave boots instead of stockings.
What is song mentions roasted by an open fire.
Answer: Chestnuts
Fun Fact: "The Christmas Song" It was written during a summer heat wave.
This metal toy shoots sparks when you squeeze it.
Answer: What is a cap gun?
Fun Fact: Cap guns were especially popular in the 1940s and 1950s
This rich holiday drink is made from milk, eggs, and sugar.
Answer: What is eggnog?
Fun Fact: Eggnog dates back to medieval England and was once considered a luxury drink.
These are often put out overnight for Santa.
What are cookies and milk?
Fun Fact: During the Great Depression, families often left simple snacks like bread or water.
In England, this traditional gift-giver is known by this name.
Who is Father Christmas?
Fun Fact: He originally represented good cheer and feasting, not gift-giving.
This carol includes the line, “Let earth receive her King.”
Answer: What is “Joy to the World”?
Fun Fact: It was not originally written as a Christmas song.
This toy allows children to rock and bounce indoors.
Answer: What is a rocking horse?
Fun Fact: Rocking horses date back to the 17th century
Chocolate figure wrapped in foil often appears in stockings.
Answer: What is a chocolate Santa?
Fun Fact: Chocolate Santas became popular in the U.S. after World War II.
These, along with chocolate candies, help count down the days until Christmas.
What is an Advent calendar?
Fun Fact: The first printed Advent calendars appeared in Germany in the early 1900s.
A legendary woman La Befana delivers gifts on January 6th in this country
Italy
She is said to have missed visiting baby Jesus and now searches for him each year.
This song opens with the line, “I’m dreaming of a ____ Christmas.”
Answer: What is “White Christmas”?
Fun Fact: Bing Crosby first sang it on the radio in 1941
This construction toy made from interlocking bricks became popular in the 1950s.
Answer: What are LEGO bricks?
Fun Fact: LEGO comes from Danish words meaning “play well.”
This sweet treat is shaped like a hook and often flavored with peppermint.
Answer: What is a candy cane?
Fun Fact: The hook shape was added decades after the candy was invented.